Amtrak’s future in Kansas hinges on satisfying mandate

Newton  Kansas could lose its Amtrak service unless funding is found to satisfy a federal requirement to install positive train control systems along its lines by the end of the year.

The Wichita Eagle reports most of the tracks along the 2,200-mile Southwest Chief line are owned by other railroads that are paying for the upgrades. But the owner of one section of tracks in the Kansas City area says it isn't willing to pay roughly $30 million to install the PTC system on its rails.

Amtrak says it can't afford to pick up the tab because it makes only $44 million in revenue for the entire Chicago-to-Los Angeles line. It says it will either terminate or re-route the Southwest Chief if a solution isn't found by December.